When you’re staying in the French capital, make sure you check out the vast boulevards of its western quarter. It’s no distance from your cheap hotel near Trocadéro to this richly cultural area which boasts the Eiffel Tower as its backdrop.
A district much loved for its museums
The Jardins du Trocadéro look out onto a majestic sight: the Eiffel Tower stands opposite at the far side of the Seine. This perfect view has existed since 1937 when this park was first created along with the Palais de Chaillot for the Exposition Universelle. The Fountain of Warsaw and its 20 water spouts in the gardens’ centre complete the scene. The Palais de Chaillot’s architecture is classic 1930s in style, with its two sinuously designed pavilions. The Esplanade des Droits de l’Homme nestling between them is a playground for skilful roller-skaters and skateboarders. Inside the building there are plenty of things to discover, such as the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, the Musée de l’Homme, the Musée National de la Marine and the Théâtre National de Chaillot.
The Trocadéro district on the right bank of the Seine is a cultural area in easy reach of your cheap hotel. As well as the Palais de Chaillot’s museums, there is also the nearby Palais de Tokyo. In a building which also dates back to the 1937 Exposition, this contemporary art centre unites the very best modern creations from around the world, including photography, videos, design, painting and even fashion. The building’s other wing now houses the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. Just yards away is the Palais Galliera, a great reminder that Paris is the capital of style. The temporary exhibitions in this fashion museum retrace our dress codes from the 18th century to the present day. Its collections highlight different eras and creators.